No Time Line For Josh Reddick’s Return to Oakland Athletics Lineup With Stephen Vogt Stepping Up

“We want him to come back swinging the bat well, and he knows that,” said Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin.

With a .214 average before hitting the DL, Reddick wasn’t exactly swinging the bat well when he hyper extended his knee on May 31.

The right-fielder is slated to begin a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats today. Melvin said that Reddick will DH in his first game, play right field in his second and then take a day off. For now, though, there’s no clear time line for when he’ll return to Oakland’s lineup.

“After four days we’ll see where he’s at.”

In his place, Stephen Vogt has has taken over Reddick’s spot in right. The versatile catcher owns a .359 average (14-for-39) in 12 games since arriving in Oakland on June 1. The 29-year-old has started seven games in right, and the way he’s hitting it will be difficult for Melvin to remove him from the lineup.

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Brad Mills, who the team recently acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations, will join the team on Thursday. Melvin said he’s yet to make a decision on whether the left-hander will take Drew Pomeranz’s spot in the rotation, but on Wednesday he described him as a “serious candidate.” Melvin also mentioned Dan Straily, Arnold Leon and Josh Lindbloom as potential options.

While Melvin has seen Mills pitch just once, he did provide a take on what caught the attention of the front office.

“They like his ability to get right-handers out. He’s deceptive with his delivery. He’s got a good curveball. He doesn’t throw particularly hard, but has a good mix of pitches.”